CUMBERLAND, R.I. (WPRI) — Abigail, Grace, and Lucus Mcintyre have everything they need for the upcoming school year.

The Cumberland family was given the option this year to craft a custom kit online and have their supplies shipped directly to their schools.

Their mother Dawn Mcintyre said the custom kits, which range in price from $28 to $58, took the stress out of back-to-school shopping.

“I didn’t have to figure out when we were going to go,” she explained. “Are [the stores] going to have the supplies? Do I have to shop around? Should I find a better price?”

The National Retail Federation (NRF) estimates that back-to-school spending will reach $38.8 billion this year.

The annual survey reveals that families with children in grades K-12 will spend an average of $874 on clothing, shoes, school supplies and electronics. It’s the second-highest amount in the annual survey’s history, just a few dollars less than last year’s record-breaking $890.

Rae Caloura, a marketing professor at Providence College, said parents are shopping around before committing to buying the school supplies their kids need.

Caloura said 50% of families are shopping online, while 40% are shopping in person.

The NRF said the vast majority of shoppers’ purchases have been influenced by coupons, sales or promotions.

Since the Mcintyres didn’t have to actually shop for school supplies this year, they decided to focus their efforts on new clothes.

“We had them pick a special first-day outfit, a picture day outfit, and a couple of fun, fancier outfits,” she said. “Then the basics that we just maintain throughout the year.”

Families on average will spend $309 on electronics like laptops or calculators, according to the NRF, as well as about $253 on clothing and accessories.

Caloura recommended families look online and compare prices store-to-store, since retailers and brands often run special promotions for students. She also suggested families who haven’t purchased electronics yet hold off until the holidays or buy refurbished devices at a lower cost.

“What are the must-haves versus the nice-to-haves? That is really where you tend to save money,” she explained.

Sarah Guernelli ( sguernelli@wpri.com ) is the consumer investigative reporter for 12 News. Connect with her on Twitter and on Facebook .

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